'Wanita bout won't affect KT by-election'

The highly-anticipated contest between the incumbent Umno Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz and her deputy Shahrizat Abdul Jalil will not disrupt Barisan Nasional's preparations for the forthcoming Kuala Terengganu by-election.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a six-hour BN Wanita meeting at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, Rafidah said that the upcoming tussle between her and her deputy was the ‘last thing on her mind’.
Pointing to Shahrizat who was also present at the 25-minute press conference, Rafidah said she did not even notice the person sitting besides her was the challenger for her position as Wanita Umno chief in the party polls next March.
"The matter (of Shahrizat’s challenge) is at the back of my mind. It was not mentioned or thought of. We are thinking of BN and the nation. You have to understand between a contest of two individuals and the bigger contests.
"We have to understand and differentiate between the two. The last thing on my mind was Shahrizat. For the whole many hours (today) we forgot that we are contesting as we talked about many national issues pertaining the coalition," she said.
Umno’s Deputy Education Minister Razali Ismail died of a heart attack while playing badminton in Genting Highlands last Friday paving the way for the by-election. He was a two-term Kuala Terengganu parliamentarian.
The Election Commission will announce on Friday the dates for the constituency’s nomination and polling days.
‘We in BN are family’
On the BN Wanita meeting, Rafidah said the focus was mainly on the coalition’s plan towards winning back the support of people for the next general election.
"I do not deny we have to work hard to defend the Kuala Terengganu seat. We will concentrate on that and would not let the (Umno Wanita) contest affect our preparations."
"God willing, BN will prevail," she said.
Rafidah, who is BN Wanita chief, also advised BN component party members to resolve any issues they have with their respective parties through meetings rather than running to the media.
"It is of no use bringing the matter to the media as this would disrupt relations. Resolve them within these four walls and do not involve the media or any another party no matter what our grouses are."
"We in BN are family and whatever problems should be resolved amicably. If we bring matters to other parties like the media, you may be provoked," she said.
"When individuals in BN provoke either consciously or unconsciously other component party members which will require them to respond, this interaction is very negative. Any interaction should be done behind closed-doors," added Rafidah.
On Umno’s chances of retaining the Kuala Terengganu seat, the ‘Iron Lady’ of Umno said BN had a good track record and ‘don't anybody forget this’.
"What is important is winning back the hearts of the people in this by-election and all of Wanita are united on this," she said.
Five new BN Wanita bureaus
Pressed on her working relationship with Shahrizat following the latter’s challenge, Rafidah deftly parried questions, saying:
"No need no need [...] Any more questions about BN? We are here to talk about BN. In fact, if we do not talk about BN theres no point in us contesting."
Rafidah, however, had scathing remarks when asked to comment on rumours that she may resign from her post in Umno because of a knee problem.
"My knee might be better than yours, young man. In fact next week my husband and I have agreed to play golf," she said, adding such rumours were the work of ‘idle minds which were the devil’s workshop’.
Rafidah also announced that BN Wanita had agreed to form five bureaus to address issues pertaining to women.
They were for Leadership, Unity, Law, Economy and Education and Nation-Building.
Leaders for each bureau will be selected from BN component parties with the Leadership bureau being headed by Umno, Unity (PPP), Law (MIC), Economy (MCA) and Education and Nation Building by Gerakan.

tunku : very good gesture by rafidah, both shahrizat and rafidah are in good spirit and they have put the challenge for ketua wanita umno election aside and concentrating for the by election.this is what we expect from leaders.